Central New York nudists help set skinny dipping record

Kristin Smith / The Post-StandardThese are some of the 111 people who joined in the world record simultaneous skinny dipping attempt Saturday at Empire Haven Nudist Park in Summerhill.

Even nudists shiver in the cold rain.

Still, 111 people lined up to join in the skinny dipping world record attempt at Empire Haven Nudist Park in Summerhill, near Moravia, Saturday.

"It was incredibly uncomfortable, but I have to say, I was laughing the whole time," said Pamela Pelc, of North Carolina.

The Guinness World Records organization recently created a category for simultaneous skinny dipping, so Saturday's attempt, held at Empire Haven and 127 other registered locations nationwide, is expected to set the record. The exact number of people participating nationwide won't be known for some time, however.

For Empire Haven residents, skinny dipping is entirely normal, but not in the cold rain, said Tim, of Syracuse, who declined to give his last name.

"Once that wind came up, you could just see the chill go through everybody in the group," Tim said. He had a good view -- from inside a hot tub in an enclosed porch overlooking the pool -- as the wind blew rain onto the nude bathers filing into the pool.

In spite of the cold weather, the world record attempt drew 65 people who are not members of club, according to park manager Michele Keagle.

"I thought the rain would deter people who had never been here before," Keagle said.

Tim said introducing more people to the nudist lifestyle is part of what made the event a success.

"Anything that presents this kind of lifestyle in a positive way is good," he said. "If you try it, it takes 10 minutes to be comfortable. That's all. ... We're born this way."